What size come-along?

[Elcy]

I have an '18 2500, and am taking my son camping next week. A lot of the forest roads here are still muddy and I want to be prepared for possibly getting stuck. Winch isn't an option, and I'd rather get a comealong vs a high lift jack to pull myself out of needed.

Anyone recommend a tonage to buy? Tractor supply has a 2.5 ton on sale, but that doesn't seem big enough.

Thanks

 

[Brandon-w]

Home depot sells a 3 ton. Snatch blocks are your friend tho. Multiply the torque and your life will be way easier. [emoji846]

 

[IRSmart]

Curious, why wouldn’t you want a hi lift? They can be used as a jack and as a come-along, so two tools in one sounds better to me.

 

[crash68]

As mentioned about having a Hi-Lift jack is you can lift the vehicle to get wheels out of holes and/or onto some for traction.
With a come along, snatch blocks are a definite bonus to have, lessen the needed capacity of a come-along. Also with you need to factor how much line you have and what's available that you can tie off too.
Lots to consider.
Consider buying a Recovery strap or a Bubba Rope also

 

[csuder99]

Harbor freight has one that is rated 8000 lbs double line capacity. They are all somewhat chintzy looking compared to a Power Puller which is an order of magnitude more expensive.
To expand on crash68's comment, come-a-longs have very little line, ~6ft when running double line. So you need something adjustable to reach the anchor point like a chain or heavy duty ratchet tiedown. You might want to practice beforehand.
Hi-lift jacks are great for Jeeps with rock rails and aftermarket bumpers where you have many points you can lift at. On a regular truck lift points are somewhat limited, the rear hitch and maybe wheels if you have a sling for it. I carry one in my Jeep but never had to use it for recovery.

 

[McBroom]

I keep a hilift and a 7 ton comealong in the truck when I go off road.

Blue Mule

 

[Elcy]

Thanks for the input so far.
I prefer a come-along over a high lift because The only lifting point on my truck would be the hitch, so a high lift isn't helpful in that regard. I can attach either to the front tow hooks or hitch depending on the easiest direction I need to pull the truck. I already have heavy duty recovery straps that I've used in the past to pull others out when they were stuck, but need something for a possible solo recovery.

Back to the original question, is 2.5 tons enough, or go bigger?

 

[Runaround]

The bigger the better. It will make the pull easier on you and it all depends on how bad you are stuck. I would go with the biggest you can find and afford.

 

[kmrtnsn]

Thanks for the input so far.
I prefer a come-along over a high lift because The only lifting point on my truck would be the hitch, so a high lift isn't helpful in that regard. I can attach either to the front tow hooks or hitch depending on the easiest direction I need to pull the truck. I already have heavy duty recovery straps that I've used in the past to pull others out when they were stuck, but need something for a possible solo recovery.

Back to the original question, is 2.5 tons enough, or go bigger?

Get a Lift-Mate tire lift for the Hi-Lift. And a mud base.

 

[James OBrien]

For what it's worth a good 8,000-12,000 winch mounted on a receiver mount bracket that you can just slide into your receiver is also an option, could have a decent setup that's portable for under $300 if you don't mind harbor freight.

 

[PaulTGarrett]

A comealong is OK in a pinch but you will be doing a lot of moving, blocking, moving, blocking, repeat until unstuck. If you're going to be doing a lot of offroading, get a HiLift. They have an accessory hook that hooks into your wheel, lifting it up off the ground instead of trying to lift up the entire truck. I have one and it's damn spanky handy. Hooks over the tongue of the jack, into the slots in your wheel, off the ground she comes!


https://hi-lift.com/accessories/lift-mate/
https://hi-lift.com/accessories/lift-mate/

 

[McBroom]

For what it's worth a good 8,000-12,000 winch mounted on a receiver mount bracket that you can just slide into your receiver is also an option, could have a decent setup that's portable for under $300 if you don't mind harbor freight.

HFT winches are awesome. Especially the new one with the synthetic rope. They also have a 15K winch that has to be ordered.

Blue Mule